European Hedgehog

Thrives in man-made habitats such as gardens, orchards, vineyards and woodlands

Distribution

Endemic to Europe including Russia

General Information

The hedgehog is abundant throughout its range and a popular visitor to gardens in the UK. It is mainly nocturnal when it forages for worms, slugs, earwigs,fallen fruits, eggs and surprisingly it will eat young grass snakes and adders asthey are somewhat immune to snake venom. It usually hibernates in winter which is followed by the breeding season. In the wild they may only live a few years but could reach up to 10 years.

Fun Fact

Hedgehog babies called hoglets are born naked and blind. But within 48 hours, a layer of fine white prickles emerge through the skin to protect them.

Keeper Notes

Our resident hedgehogs are all rescues who cannot return to the wild for a variety of health problems, frequently eyesight trauma. At present we have Penelope, arrived 2012, and Maple, arrived 2010, both are girls from “LittlePrickles Hedgehog Rescue.”